Question

Over ________% of the fuel you pump into your automobile does something other than move your vehicle down the road.

A) 55
B) 45
C) 65
D) 25
E) 85

Answer 1

Over 75% of the fuel put into an automobile is used for purposes other than movement, primarily due to engine inefficiencies like heat and friction loss. The closest option provided is E) 85%.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks what percentage of the fuel you pump into your automobile is used for purposes other than propelling the vehicle forward. When considering the efficiency of a typical internal combustion engine, which is about 25 percent, we understand that the remainder of the energy from the fuel is not used for movement.

This percentage accounts for losses due to engine heat, friction, and other inefficiencies in the vehicle's mechanical systems. Thus, over 75% of the fuel is used for purposes other than moving the vehicle, which corresponds to option A) 55, B) 45, and E) 85, with the closest and most likely answer being E) 85%.

Additionally, certain types of fuel mixtures like E85 (which contains up to 85% ethanol) can affect fuel efficiency. Although ethanol can reduce carbon emissions, it has lower energy content than pure gasoline, resulting in reduced miles per gallon.